King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 11:2 Mean?

Deuteronomy 11:2 in the King James Version says “And know ye this day: for I speak not with your children which have not known, and which have not seen the chastisement ...” — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 11 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And know ye this day: for I speak not with your children which have not known, and which have not seen the chastisement of the LORD your God, his greatness, his mighty hand, and his stretched out arm,”

Deuteronomy 11:2 · KJV

Context

1

Therefore thou shalt love the LORD thy God, and keep his charge, and his statutes, and his judgments, and his commandments, alway.

2

And know ye this day: for I speak not with your children which have not known, and which have not seen the chastisement of the LORD your God, his greatness, his mighty hand, and his stretched out arm,

3

And his miracles, and his acts, which he did in the midst of Egypt unto Pharaoh the king of Egypt, and unto all his land;

4

And what he did unto the army of Egypt, unto their horses, and to their chariots; how he made the water of the Red sea to overflow them as they pursued after you, and how the LORD hath destroyed them unto this day;

Read Deuteronomy 11 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And know ye this day: for I speak not with your children which have not known, neither have seen the chastisement of the LORD your God, his greatness, his mighty hand, and his stretched out arm,

Moses addresses the generation that witnessed firsthand God's mighty acts in Egypt and the wilderness. The Hebrew verb yada (יָדַע, 'know') implies experiential knowledge, not mere intellectual assent. This generation 'knows' because they have 'seen' (רָאָה, ra'ah)—they are eyewitnesses to divine intervention.

The phrase 'chastisement' (מוּסָר, musar) encompasses discipline, correction, and instruction. God's redemptive judgment on Egypt and discipline of Israel served pedagogical purposes—revealing His character and teaching His people. The threefold description—'greatness, mighty hand, stretched out arm'—emphasizes God's sovereign power and purposeful intervention in history.

This verse establishes the principle of generational witness: those who experience God's works bear responsibility to testify to subsequent generations. The contrast with 'your children which have not known' underscores the unique accountability of eyewitnesses.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This address comes as Israel stands on the plains of Moab, ready to enter Canaan forty years after the Exodus. The original generation that left Egypt had died in the wilderness (except Joshua and Caleb). Moses speaks to those who were young during the Exodus or born in the wilderness—they witnessed Egypt's plagues, the Red Sea crossing, Sinai, the golden calf, Korah's rebellion, and decades of God's provision. Their children, however, would know these events only through testimony.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does personal experience of God's faithfulness create unique responsibility to testify to others?
  2. What 'mighty acts' has God done in your life that you must not allow the next generation to forget?
  3. How does God use both blessing and discipline as 'chastisement' to teach His people?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 23 words
יָדְעוּ֙1 of 23

“And know”

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

הַיּוֹם֒2 of 23

“ye this day”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

כִּ֣י׀3 of 23
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

לֹ֣א4 of 23
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

אֶת5 of 23
H854

properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

בְּנֵיכֶ֗ם6 of 23

“for I speak not with your children”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

אֲשֶׁ֤ר7 of 23
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

לֹֽא8 of 23
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יָדְעוּ֙9 of 23

“And know”

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

וַֽאֲשֶׁ֣ר10 of 23
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

לֹֽא11 of 23
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

רָא֔וּ12 of 23

“and which have not seen”

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

אֶת13 of 23
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

מוּסַ֖ר14 of 23

“the chastisement”

H4148

properly, chastisement; figuratively, reproof, warning or instruction; also restraint

יְהוָ֣ה15 of 23

“of the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֑ם16 of 23

“your God”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

אֶת17 of 23
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

גָּדְל֕וֹ18 of 23

“his greatness”

H1433

magnitude (literally or figuratively)

אֶת19 of 23
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

יָדוֹ֙20 of 23

“hand”

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

הַֽחֲזָקָ֔ה21 of 23

“his mighty”

H2389

strong (usu. in a bad sense, hard, bold, violent)

וּזְרֹע֖וֹ22 of 23

“arm”

H2220

the arm (as stretched out), or (of animals) the foreleg; figuratively, force

הַנְּטוּיָֽה׃23 of 23

“and his stretched out”

H5186

to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used in a great variety of application (as follows)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Deuteronomy. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Deuteronomy 11:2 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Deuteronomy 11:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Deuteronomy 7:19Deuteronomy 5:24Proverbs 22:19Deuteronomy 9:26Deuteronomy 4:34Deuteronomy 8:2-5

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